Rayna and Deacon can start their third season of country music soap opera drama knowing Metro government is still helping pay the bills — and doubling down on its investment.

The Metro Council voted unanimously and without debate Tuesday for a $1 million economic development grant to the local production of ABC’s “Nashville,” which starts its third year on the air next week. The city money, a 100 percent increase from last season’s $500,000 grant, is part of an $8 million incentive package that also involves the state of Tennessee, Ryman Hospitality Properties, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and the city’s event marketing fund.

“They’re really committed to us, and we’re committed to Nashville,” said Sam Reed of the Ingram Group, a lobbyist for Ryman Hospitality Properties, an executive producer of the show. “We’re happy to make it work.”

Reed said the “Nashville” cast and crew are filming the sixth episode of the season. Under the deal with Metro, which Mayor Karl Dean’s administration negotiated last spring, Music City Productions Inc. will get $500,000 after the contract is executed and the other $500,000 when the 14th episode is broadcast as long as the producers can document that they’ve shot at least 80 percent of the show in Nashville.

The council resolution said “Nashville” is expected to spend more than $40 million locally on labor, goods and services during the season. Reed, who said more than 90 percent of the show’s workforce is local, said the economic payoff goes beyond the direct spending and jobs because the show raises the city’s profile internationally.

“This is one of those once-in-a-generation shows,” he said.

The state of Tennessee is again providing the bulk of the incentive package with a $5.5 million grant, though that amount reflects a big cut in state dollars. The overall $8 million package kept the producers from moving to Texas or Georgia, but it’s down significantly from the second season’s $13.25 million deal, which included $12.5 million from the state and $500,000 from Metro.